"I'm very disappointed by press reports that France and Germany this week agreed to ally with one another to block substantial reforms of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The EU's current policies put producers in other countries, including those in the United States, at a significant disadvantage in the international market. Without the adoption of a more market-oriented approach by the EU, it will be much more difficult to succeed in further liberalization of agricultural trade at the WTO. And if WTO talks don't result in increased liberalization, the whole world will suffer. I hope France and Germany will reconsider their positions and ultimately agree to major changes in the CAP."